“Living in Ghana’s capital city of Accra with a postgraduate degree and a career in data analysis, Esi Sekyi is a thoroughly modern African woman. Perhaps that is why she decides to divorce her husband after enduring yet another morning’s marital rape. Though her friends and family are baffled by her decision (after all, he doesn’t beat her!), Esi holds fast. When she falls in love with a married man—wealthy, and able to arrange a polygamous marriage—the modern woman finds herself trapped in a new set of problems.
Witty and compelling, Aidoo’s novel, according to Manthia Diawara, “inaugurates a new realist style in African literature.” In an afterword to this edition, Tuzyline Jita Allan “places Aidoo’s work in a historical context and helps introduce this remarkable writer [who] sheds light on women’s problems around the globe” (Publishers Weekly).”
Description from The Feminist Press
In this episode the Spoilers talk about Aidoo’s wonderful novel, but as you might expect, they end up talking about patriarchy. And in particular they spend a lot of time talking about Esi and her car. You know, we don’t always understand Esi (there are lots of questions), but in the end we all really love her and we all wish we were riding in that car with her wherever she wants to go. Don’t miss this one. We can all go for a ride!
What the spoilers are up to: reading, listening or watching!
Crystal
- Sweet Magnolias (starring Heather Hadley – “Emotional Roller Coaster”)
- Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories (permanent exhibit) at the Field Museum, Chicago
Todd
- Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga
- So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba
- The Girl I am, Was, and Never Will Be by Shannon Gibney
Anita
- Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
